Special Education

The goal of special education in the SCDSB is to help students achieve the curriculum to the best of their ability and to become as independent as possible as they do so.

The SCDSB provides special education supports and services to students with special needs. There are special education teachers at every school. In addition, there are some specialized county classes for students who require significant changes to curriculum to meet their needs. Students who are identified as requiring this level of specialized support are transported to a school which has the county class.

Students do not have to be identified as exceptional to receive special education support. The principal and special education teacher work with classroom teachers and parents to provide support to students who need it.

Please speak to the principal or a teacher if you would like more information about the special education support available in your child's school.

Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)

The role of SEAC is to make recommendations to the Board in respect of any matter affecting the establishment, development and delivery of special education programs and services relating to exceptional pupils of the Board. SEAC may advise the board in a range of policy areas pertaining to special education.

Video Recording Of Meetings

Special Education Advisory Committee meetings are video recorded and made available for public viewing. To obtain a DVD recording of a SEAC meeting please contact Jennifer Henry, Executive Assistant - Board, at jhenry@scdsb.on.ca or (705) 734-6363 x11231.

Special Education Resources

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SCDSB Special Education Plan

The SCDSB's Special Education Plan outlines the Board’s philosophy of special education and describes the special education programs and services available. It has been designed in accordance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Education Act and regulations made under the Act. If you require further information on the Report please contact the Special Education Department.

Individual Education Plan

Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are learning and teaching plans developed for students who learn in a very different way or at a very different rate than their classmates. Ontario Regulation 181/98 requires the writing of an IEP for all students who are identified as exceptional through the Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) process. This written record outlines a child’s individual program and helps parents, guardians and teachers track the student's progress and plan next steps in learning. Read our IEP brochure which outlines parent and guardian roles in the IEP process.

Parent's Guide to Special Education

This guide was designed to provide information on the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC), and to set out for you the procedures involved in identifying a pupil as "exceptional", deciding the pupil's placement, or appealing such decisions if you do not agree with the IPRC. Download the Parent's Guide to Special Education.

SCDSB Handbooks

Section 23

Section 23 educational programs are funded by the Ministry of Education and are for students unable to attend regular or special education classes within a community school. These programs are offered in partnership with community agencies. Some of the programs take place in SCDSB schools, while others are in residential settings. The programs follow Ministry guidelines but are delivered in a flexible manner to meet the individual needs of the students. The focus is on treatment in conjunction with academic and functional life skills, depending on the type of program. Students in secondary programs can earn credits and work towards a diploma.

Autism Parent Resource Kit

The Autism Parent Resource Kit is a document published by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services as a support for families and caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

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Information Sessions for Parents and Guardians

The SCDSB is hosting a series of information sessions for parents and guardians to learn more about special education in the SCDSB, and how to support students with special education needs.
The sessions will be offered at the SCDSB Education Centre, located at 1170 Highway 26 in Midhurst or you can access them via Google Meet (the link will be provided below). Registration is required.